Former Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-Muslimoon) chairman Mr. Mohamed Mahdi Akef, has stated that the Muslim Brotherhood has no problem with a Copt leading the MB party Freedom and Justice. During an interview, Akef confirmed that so long as the Copt was elected and will aspire to the party’s political agenda, the people’s choice must be respected. He added that the MB does not discriminate against Copts or women and the repeated rumours have become tedious. He stated the MB and the Copts enjoy an amicable relationship and will not be affected by those planning to tarnish the relationship highlighting that the MB chairman Dr. Mohamed Badie and Pope Shenouda have engaged in numerous phone call conversations.
Akef denied differences within the group describing dialogue and debates between the group’s members as healthy. He stressed such dialogue was healthy and the group’s leaders were always open to dialogue and welcome suggestions to develop further the MB group provided they adhere to the group’s platform and regulations designed to serve the group.
When asked about members leaving the group, Akef stressed that the MB is open to all and harbours no hard feelings towards any individuals who choose to split from the group stressing that the group wishes all its members and former members well.
Akef called on all to discard the pre-revolution way of thinking and to thwart any outside efforts to downplay the success of the People’s revolution and to work on protecting the revolution which paved the way for democracy and ignore any counter-revolution attempts. He maintained that the MB has never claimed that it led the revolution nor was it far behind but rather in the midst of the people; marching with the people for the people.